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Pulling up from deep, Josh Giddey hit the dagger 3 to nip Japan’s comeback attempt in the bud.
It highlighted a monster fourth quarter by the 20-year-old as he stopped Australia’s bleeding in a 109-89 win over Japan. The Boomers finish group play with a 2-1 record.
Giddey continues to build on his elimination game mythos with his best FIBA performance yet. In 31 minutes, he finished with 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, 11 assists and five rebounds. This included 10 fourth-quarter points to finalize Australia’s advancement to the second round.
After dominating the first half with a 57-35 lead, Australia started to show leakage in the second half as Japan mounted a comeback attempt from its 27-point deficit.
After failing to reach the 20-point mark in the opening two quarters, Japan was an offensive machine in the third quarter with 35 points to cut Australia’s lead to 17 points entering the final frame.
Alas, Australia — specifically Giddey — did just enough in the fourth quarter to avoid any unnecessary stress of an upset loss.
Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Jack White only played the last minute of the game in garbage time as he had two points on 1-of-1 shooting and one rebound.
Let’s look at instant reactions and highlights from Australia’s 20-point win over Japan.
Quick floater for Giddey to open the game up!
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 29, 2023
Giddey aggressive drive, has a quick 4 in the first 3 minutes
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 29, 2023
How did Giddey fit the ball in that tight window to Josh Green sheesh
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 29, 2023
Josh Giddey is a maestro
— ThunderChets (@ThunderChats) August 29, 2023
Giddey attacking the mismatch to draw free throws>>
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 29, 2023
End of 1Q: Australia 25, Japan 17
Giddey – 7 points on 3/4 shooting, 3 assists, 3 rebounds
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 29, 2023
JOSH GIDDEY FINALLY FROM 3
14 POINTS
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 29, 2023
Giddey 3! He has 14-7-3 in 15 mins as Australia leads by 23 points with a little over 2 mins left in the 1st half
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 29, 2023
HALF: Australia 57, Japan 35
Giddey – 14 points on 6/8 shooting, 7 assists, 3 rebounds
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 29, 2023
If Giddey adds the rip through to his bag then that’s huge for him
pic.twitter.com/GqjHUc7xZG— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 29, 2023
Giddey bully ball 🙌
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 29, 2023
This Hawkinson guy just scored over Giddey and hit him with the “too small”
This is a developing story
— ThunderChets (@ThunderChats) August 29, 2023
End of 3Q: Australia 87, Japan 70
Giddey – 16 points on 7/12 shooting, 9 assists, 3 rebounds
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 29, 2023
Absolutely gorgeous dime by Giddey
Went to the spin move and dumped it off to his man inside with an overhead touch pass 😮💨
— ThunderChets (@ThunderChats) August 29, 2023
Giddey calms Australia down with a hard drive to the right
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 29, 2023
GIDDEY BULLY BALL AGAIN! b2b big buckets to keep Australia with a nice lead
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 29, 2023
JOSH GIDDEY PULLING UP FROM OKC FOR THE DAGGER
— ThunderChets (@ThunderChats) August 29, 2023
What a dagger 3 from Josh Giddey!
25 points 10/16
11 assists
5 reboundsGiddey has scored 9 out of the last 11 points for the Boomers
He has taken over late in this 4th and all of his teammates have deferred to him
Really exciting stuff to see from a guy who is still only 20
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) August 29, 2023
Josh Giddey against Japan in a elimination game
26 points
11 assists
5 rebounds
10/17 FGA
2/4 3PA
4/6 FTAAUSTRALIA ADVANCES TO ROUND 2 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/0KDz2Vxll0
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 29, 2023
FINAL: Australia 109, Japan 89
Giddey – 26 points on 10/18 shooting, 11 assists, 5 rebounds
White – 2 points, 1 rebound
Australia advances to the 2nd round
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 29, 2023
📊 26 PTS I 5 REB I 11 AST
Josh Giddey's double-double earns him TCL Player of the Game! 🙌#FIBAWC x #WinForAustralia I #InspireGreatness pic.twitter.com/Z7v83nza0J
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 29, 2023